The Marauders Rise (II)

Knockturn Alley

August 17, 1973

A sound like a gunshot is heard in the evening air as BELLATRIX and LUCIUS Apparate in Knockturn Alley. Quickly they look around, alighting their wands.

LUCIUS: Do you see him?

BELLATRIX: They said he would be here tonight- where is that pilfering- there! Fletcher! Fletcher! Get back here, you uncultured swine!

Further down the street, MUNDUNGUS is trading from a small cart set up on the street. Upon seeing BELLATRIX, he quickly exchanges an item and tries to run away from the scene.

BELLATRIX: Stop him! Stop him! Locomotor mortis!

MUNDUNGUS falls to the ground under the effects of the Leg-Locker Curse. BELLATRIX and LUCIUS reach him, pulling him to his feet and pushing him up against a wall.

BELLATRIX: Have you any news?

MUNDUNGUS: News comes wi' a price, ma'am.

BELLATRIX: (brandishing her wand) The price will be your head if you don't spill it, right now, you thieving half-breed.

MUNDUNGUS: (removing his own wand) You ain't the onl' one with a wan', ma'am-

LUCIUS: (sharply) Expelliarmus! (MUNDUNGUS is disarmed, his wand flying towards LUCIUS, who quickly catches it)

BELLATRIX: (jabbing her wand in MUNDUNGUS' neck) Talk. Now.

MUNDUNGUS: All righ', all righ'! They was jus' plannin' for resistance, okay? Nothin' specific yet. Dumbledore is wary of the Death Eaters risin'-

BELLATRIX: As he should. What is their position with the Ministry?

MUNDUNGUS: They be completely independen' from the Ministry, ma'am. The Minister ain't gonna be admittin' You-Know-Who's power anytime soon-

BELLATRIX: (lowering her wand) Very well. Stay close to them, let us know of anything significant in the future.

MUNDUNGUS takes his opportunity to leave, swiping his wand from LUCIUS and practically running down the street.

LUCIUS: You think he's telling the truth?

BELLATRIX: He better. We can't trust ourselves with people like him, though. Fidgety little snake-in-the-grass. He'll go back to Dumbledore, sooner or later.

LUCIUS: He's resisted the Death Eaters since day one.

BELLATRIX: Forget him. Focus on what you need to do. This year will be ever more important to our cause, you understand? The Dark Lord is vulnerable without followers.

LUCIUS: We'll recruit as many as possible.

BELLATRIX: (nodding) How is Narcissa doing?

LUCIUS: She was gone most of the afternoon. I don't know where she went.

BELLATRIX: She's unpredictable, she is.

LUCIUS: Why don't you trust her? Why did you choose me to do this?

BELLATRIX: (cunningly) My sisters are weak, Lucius. Andromeda was a major disappointment, and Narcissa has spent most of her life chasing boys and bloody butterflies to focus on what's important. But you, you are strong. You are capable. You follow orders and you don't ask questions. It is people like you who the Dark Lord needs now.

LUCIUS: (nodding) When will I be ready? To join you completely? (He reveals his bare forearm, void of the Dark Mark).

BELLATRIX: I don't make the decisions, Lucius. When you are ready, the Dark Lord will induct you. But until then, do as I say.

LUCIUS nods once more.

BELLATRIX: Good. Now let's get you home.

Together, the two Death Eaters DisApparate once more, leaving Knockturn Alley in a quiet night-time solitude.